Do Clown Loaches like planted tank?

[Ave]

I 'v got a lot of bogwood in my tank and the clowns hide underneath. But not many plants - some microsorum and anubias growing on wood. But maybe the clowns like more heavily planted tank?
Any other suggestions how to make these fish bolder?
I got mines a week ago and they are still hiding most of time. I know it's normal, they need time, but anyway... My biggest concern is that the don't get enough food - they don't come out for food and my 15 greedy tiger barbs eat all their worms. I even used a pipe to drive the worms into their cave, but the barbs climbed into the cave while loaches didn't move at all....

 

[kjr928]

I do not know much about clown loaches, but from what I've heard they're very secretive. So, it makes sense to me that a planted tank would make them feel more secure. Also, do clown loaches and tiger barbs make good companions? Maybe the tiger barbs are too aggressive for them and are intimidating them. Just food for thought. Good luck.

 

[lovemybarbs]

My clowns think they are tiger barbs I think. It's probably the stripes. But I like to think I have a friendly barb tank.

Oh, they like plants alright. They have murdered a lot of the plants I have tested out. They punch holes in swords.

 

[loaches r cool]

My 75G right now is a jungle (trying to stuff as full of plants as possible, will be stocking a 240G and 150G with plants soon) and I do beleive they like the extra cover. But the plants I dont think are a huge deal to them. The main thing with clowns is providing them with enough buddies. It seems in most instances how out-and-about the clowns are seems proprtional to thier group size. Even being well at home in my tank for some time, and full of cover, they often do dart into their caves when you walk by them or move something by the tank. But if you sit down infront of the tank in a moment they start comming up to the glass to greet you it seems. If there hungry they will start pacing up the glass by you often times going to the surface to check for food. Sounds like you got a good start with some plants. I havent had any problems with them with plants yet but I know as they get bigger and bigger the bulldozing capability increases. I have had a couple hole punches here and there but nothing that effects anything, you reallu have to look to find them. Is your light very bright? Some will say they do better with dimmer light but my tank is fairly bright. How many do you have?

 

[Ave]

I have 7 loaches, they are ca 7 cm/2,8 inches long. I have 500 L/132 G tank (6,5 feet long). GH is 12-14, PH is ca 7,5. I think it's not too bright because I have risen the light bulbs up to 25 cm from the waster level and the water is quite brownish because of the bogwood and the peat in filter.
They get out occasionally and then they scool with barbs as if they were the same species Barbs are not agressive to them at all.

 

[loaches r cool]

That sounds like a good size group and in a good size tank that will last them for a long while. In that size tank starting out you could add even more. Loaches, being a bottom dweling fish, like a larger footprint more so than a tall skiny tank so a full grown loach might like a slightly bigger wider tank, but you probably have a long time to even worry about that. That is assuming your tank is skinnier front to back than it is tall. I dont know how critical it is, as I have never had to worry about it, but have heard they prefer slightly acidic pH, which your bogwood and peat should help, but seems like your pH is still a little high. I'd think that would still be ok though, I think your fellas just need some more time to get used to their home.

Also, to feed your loaches if the barbs are getting all the food, give them some shrimp pellets. I doubt barbs would touch those. And also drop a few in right before lights out - they will eat during the night wereas the barbs probably wont. Hikari carnivore pellets are good too. They may not take to it right away but eventually youll also want to suppliment their diet with fresh veggies like peas and romaine lettuce.